Solidarity Strategies was very proud to have participated this past Wednesday at the US Capitol in the Public Lands Hunting, Fishing, and Shooting Sports Roundtable among prominent congressional members and leaders of conservation non profit organizations. As you might know, I am an avid conservationist and spend much of my time in the Everglades National Park, the Biscayne Bay and Mosquito Lagoon, among other breathtaking parks and waters across our country.

During my testimony, I expressed my personal story to highlight how the public federal and state lands are some of the only lands that minorities and low income communities have access to, and we should not sell them off for a profit that would only benefit a small wealthy few.

For example, did you know that half of Latino voters in the West visit public lands more than 5 times a year? Or that 91% of Latino voters agree that by protecting natural lands and waters we protect each other’s culture, families and communities? Also, 87% of Latino voters think protecting natural resources is an important issue for the country to address.

For all of you #LatinoTrailblazers out there like me, the Latino Outdoors community asks you to add your voice to this crucial conversation. As Latinos and Americans, it is important that we get outdoors and that we are visible in our local, state and national parks. Using social media, we can follow the important example of communicating to our decision makers that we care about these spaces and want them to be fully funded. So make a trip to a park this weekend and take pictures of you, friends and family to share on your Twitter, Instagram and Facebook using the hashtags #FindYourPark, #EncuentraTuParque, #LatinoOutdoors, #LatinasOutdoors, #ParkEquity and #ParksNow. Also, make sure to tag @NatlParkService, @ForestService, @BLMNational, @USFWSHQ and of course @LatinoOutdoors. With your help, we can secure park programming and equitable parks for all communities!

We consider our work with conservation nonprofits and supporters as some of our most important work, whether it is for our clients on the National Wildlife Fund, the Sierra Club or VoteVets Foundation, among other conservation organizations. We ask that you keep in mind these important organizations by protecting our public lands and waters at the voting booth, and by joining our commitment to preserve our precious lands and waters.